Devils rout Thrashers in Atlanta

While catching the Boston Bruins for the Eastern Conference title might be out of reach (the Bruins have pulled away from the pack, leading second place Washington by 14 points), the New Jersey Devils are in a pitfight with the Washington Capitals for 2nd place.  The red hot Devils increased their divisional lead and pulled to within a point of Washington by routing the Atlanta Thrashers 5-1 at Phillips Arena on Friday night.

The Devils scored early and often against the struggling Thrashers, posting three goals in the first twelve minutes of the game.  Another stellar performance from Kevin Weekes kept Atlanta from playing catchup, as he allowed only one goal on 32 shots.  Travis Zajac’s 16th of the year from JamieLangenbrunner and Zach Parise at 4:34 of the first started the scoring barrage, followed by a shorthanded marker at the 10:11 mark by John Madden, assisted by Patrik Elias and Colin White.  Madden would strike again just over a minute later,assisting along with Brian Rolston on Dave Clarkson’s 11th of the season.

Colby Armstrong’s 14th of the year early in the second period, assisted by Rich Peverley, Mathieu Schneider would be the Thrashers’ only score of the contest and did little to stem the Devils’ scoring onslaught.  Just over a minute later, Zach Parise netted his 30th goal of the campaign to stretch his team’s advantage back to three goals.  Brian Gionta  would put the biscuit in the basket shorthanded at the 8:04 mark to make the game 5-1.  That score would stand through a scoreless third period thanks to a sizzling performance from goalie Weekes, who faced 18 Atlanta shots in the final frame.    

Atlanta is 17 points out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot and basically playing out the string at this point.  They’ll host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon before traveling south to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.  That’ll be followed by a quick trip home for a Wednesday night visit from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Red hot New Jersey has won 10 of their last 12 games and plays their next three at home.  They’ll host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, the New York Rangers on Monday night followed by the New York Islanders on Wednesday.